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LHS isn't taking this one lightly

By Sean Sweeney, Correspondent

Updated:
11/21/2012 06:51:58 AM EST

LEOMINSTER -- Talk to people around the Pioneer Plastics City and a great deal of the discussion is about how it appears that the annual Thanksgiving Day match-up between host Leominster and visiting Fitchburg is a mismatch.

Second-year Leominster head coach Dave Palazzi isn't buying that.

"I've done a little research on Fitchburg," Palazzi said. "They play one of the toughest Central Mass. schedules. They lost to St. Peter-Marian, Holy Name, Brockton, Shrewsbury, Wachusett, St. John's. These are all really good teams. They lost to North Middlesex, and (North Middlesex) kicked the crap out of us in the second half of our game. They're playing under a first-year coach, and Dan Walker has done a great job. They play well and have quite a few good players.

"The records don't matter, anyone can beat anybody. But this game is the apex of our year, with all the hoopla and everyone back from college and the excitement of everyone around town."

The Blue Devils, which are hosting the 130th meeting in the history of the rivalry Thursday at 10 a.m., enter the holiday at 6-4 following wins over Hudson, Milford, North Middlesex, Marlboro, Algonquin and an emotional last-second victory over St. John's -- a win that sent ripples throughout Central Mass.

And while the Red Raiders enter at 1-9, no one along Priest Street is counting Fitchburg out of this one. A win would send Leominster into the playoffs riding a wave of momentum.

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A loss would make Fitchburg's season.

Palazzi noted that the Blue Devils need to stay within themselves defensively.

"The key is the way we scheme against them, as well as everyone doing their job," he said. "We're not a one-man show on either side of the ball."

Palazzi also noted that Fitchburg has a good-sized line.

"They're big up front on both sides of the ball, and this game will be won in the trenches," he said. "Our skill people, our defensive backs and linebackers, have to be outside and keep (Fitchburg quarterback Connor) Lemieux contained. We can't freelance. The defense has to stick to their assignments and remember their techniques."

The second-year coach said that senior lineman Shane Fallon will be huge for the Blue Devils up front. The two-year starter, Palazzi said, knows what this game is all about.

"He's been a real leader on the offensive line; he's been around Leominster High football all of his life," Palazzi said of Fallon, mentioning that Fallon's grandfather has been coming to Doyle Field for 34 years. "He's a smart kid and does all the right things in school. He watches film with the rest of the line, and those boys work hard. Their practices are 10 times harder than everyone else's. It all starts there, since they're hitting someone every play."

Of course, Garrett DelleChiaie is expected to be under center for the Blue and White, ready to hand off to Mayson Williams and James Gurley, or sling it to Neil O'Connor.

"Garrett has matured into a great leader," Palazzi said, "but being the quarterback, you kind of take too much credit when things go well, or you take too much (blame) when things go wrong. He's taking more responsibility than he should when we lose. He wants us to be the family we've always been all season."

And while the Blue Devils may be pulling on that home jersey for the last time -- depending on how the playoff brackets break down -- Palazzi knows exactly what he plans on telling his players when they gather in the locker room just before they surge through the tunnel and onto the carpet.

"This is something they'll remember the rest of their lives; the senses will be in full effect Thursday morning," he said. "They'll be representing the city of Leominster, Leominster High and our program, and it's something they'll need to cherish. It's going to be who shows up with the intensity. It's (Fitchburg's) Super Bowl, and it's our Super Bowl even though we're moving on. It's going to be a fantastic game.

"We have to be ready emotionally, and if we take care of that, everything else will take care of itself."

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